MEDIA RELEASE

THE HON SHAYNE NEUMANN MP, FEDERAL MEMBER FOR BLAIR

Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann has welcomed the announcement of service providers to deliver the Ipswich Head to Health adult mental health service.

The Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN has selected mental health service provider Open Minds to deliver services in Ipswich, as well as Kingaroy, through a competitive, open-market tender.

Neami National was also selected to deliver a national phone service for the Darling Downs and West Moreton region. 

Once established, the Head to Health centre will provide welcoming and enhanced access to mental health support through assessment and warm referrals and the national phone line will support residents in the whole Darling Downs and West Moreton region to navigate the mental health system.

The Ipswich Head to Health site will also provide immediate short or medium-term support for people who require mental health support at any level, including people who are experiencing a crisis or significant distress.

Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann said he had been fighting for years to make it easier for people in his electorate to access high quality healthcare.

“The West Moreton region is one of the fastest growing health districts in Queensland and there is a significant need for more mental health services.

“This is why I was pleased to secure a 2022 Labor election commitment to roll out an Ipswich Head to Health service and I’m proud that the Albanese Government is now delivering this.

“This new Head to Health service will make it easier for individuals, families and carers to access mental health and wellbeing support, and alcohol and drug support, when and where they need it, so no one is left behind in the system.

“This vital service builds on my commitment to deliver a new Medicare Urgent Care Clinic for Ipswich.

“Together, these initiatives will make it easier for families across Ipswich, the Somerset Region and Karana Downs area to access the health services they need,” Mr Neumann said.

Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN CEO Lucille Chalmers said the PHN had undertaken a comprehensive process to determine the most suitable service providers.

“Neami National and Open Minds are both long-standing mental health service providers who are highly capable of delivering these services.

“We have worked closely with our partners in the community to co-design Head to Health services that will complement existing services and meet local need.

“Our local Head to Health network will be a welcoming open door to mental health support for our community and will help relieve pressure on GPs and hospitals,” Ms Chalmers said.

The PHN will work in partnership with Neami National and Open Minds, along with Darling Downs Health, West Moreton Health, co-design stakeholders, and the local community as the services are operationalised.

The phone service was initially established in July 2022 to align with the national roll-out and delivery of this service will continue uninterrupted.

The establishment of the Ipswich Head to Health site is now underway, with initial operations anticipated for late 2023.